effect of the type and timing of food intake on HRV

Fluctuations in heart rate variability (HRV) are also referred to as heart rate variability. The relationship between HRV and diet is still largely unknown. To investigate this, 24-hour HRV measurements were carried out on six healthy adult participants (three male, three female) whilst they followed a high-carbohydrate and a high-protein diet. Two measurements were taken for each subject on a high-carbohydrate diet and two on a high-protein diet. This resulted in a total of four measurement days per subject. The measurement data were recorded using a Firstbeat recorder, which was attached to the subjects' bodies using surface electrodes. The data were analysed and presented using Matlab during breakfast, lunch and dinner, for up to two hours afterwards, and during sleep. For this purpose, the mean heart rate (HR), pNN50, total power, ultra-low frequency (ULF), very-low frequency (VLF), low frequency (LF) and high frequency (HF) were analysed.